NFL Notes: Marcus Mariota, Bills, Broncos, Colts, & Panthers

Marcus Mariota

• Albert Breer confirms the report that the Jets will be sending a number of executives to work out Oregon QB Marcus Mariota on Saturday.
• Breer adds that the Chargers are set to work out Mariota on April 15.
• After that, the Redskins will meet with him for an in-house visit in Ashburn, rather than work him out on campus.
• Breer mentions that the Titans have already worked him out, which means four of the top six teams are all kicking the tires on the Heisman trophy winner.

Bills

Bills GM Doug Whaley tried to temper expectations for their 2015 draft class based on the depth of their current roster.

“The way our team is now — and maybe I’m just trying to get it out there — our second-round pick, our third-round pick, they’re going to be contributors,” Whaley said earlier this week, per Mike Rodak of ESPN. “But there’s not too many open spots for them to come in and start.

“So when you look at our draft next year like, ‘They didn’t get anything out of those guys.’ Our team is not going to be easy — especially for the fifth, sixth and seventh round — not only to make, but to contribute,” Whaley explained. “Because we have depth on special-teams guys and we have depth across the board.”

Broncos

Broncos new HC Gary Kubiak admitted earlier in the week that they still still have some offensive line issues that will need to be addressed.

“Right tackle, we’ve got some issues,” said Kubiak, via Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. “We have to get better up front.”

Denver has the No. 28 overall pick in this year’s draft, and there’s a chance that they could have some decent players available to them such as LSU’s La’el Collins, Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings, and Miami’s Ereck Flowers. However, Renck cautions that there are few sure-fire picks.

Colts

Colts HC Chuck Pagano addressed his contract situation in an interview with Stephen Holder Friday night.

“Be where your feet are,” Pagano told Holder. “What do I mean? Cancer taught me to be thankful for today. All I’m concentrating on is today. Then tomorrow. My focus right now is on the draft, bringing in players that can help us continue to grow, get better, and continue to ‘Build the Monster.’ I look forward to coaching the Colts this season and for many years to come.”

Cowboys

• According to Bob Sturm of the Dallas Morning News, it sounds like the Cowboys and free agent ILB Rolando McClain have “drastically different” ideas of how much he’s worth.
• Sturm points out that it has been a buyers market for inside linebackers this year.

Panthers

• Adam Caplan reports that the Panthers hosted free agent OL Ben Ijalana for a visit this week.